Wednesday TechCrunch discovered that non-contract AT&T iPhone 5s can be unlocked through a simple iTunes rest.

The process reportedly works with iPhone 5s purchased at full price from AT&T. The process is unbelievably simple, especially when compared to AT&Ts traditional unlocking procedure which involves submitting a form online, sending an actual fax (yes fax machines still exist), and waiting a week for a restore.

TechCrunch confirmed the procedure with AT&Ts tech support and completed the once-step process without any problems. After the iTunes reset, TechCrunch’s Romain Dillet simply trimmed down a compatible T-Mobile micro-SIM card to fit in the iPhone 5’s nano-SIM tray.

However, it appears there are still some catches resulting from Apple adding a device's IMEI to their database at the time of purchase. TechCrunch was able to successfully unlock an iPhone 5 purchased through Apple’s retail store, but was unable to perform the unlock on a unit pre-ordered through AT&T even though the device was purchased at full price. The catch appears to be the device tied to an existing AT&T account during the pre-order process according to TechCrunch.

The simple unlock process is encouraging, especially when accompanied by reports that Verizon iPhone 5’s ship unlocked for GSM networks.

I actually just got my 4s unlocked that was technically still under contract. If the imei isnt attached to the account in contract it can be unlocked. Regular customer care wanted me to do the online form. I told them i wanted tech support, tech support looked at it and the phone was released from at&t in less than 5 minutes. Restored in itunes and Bam unlocked 4s with 18 months left in contract. Paid for my new 5. So basically what I took from this is at&t has a system that itunes connects to to determine whether or not the phone is still attached to at&t, once released and a restore is done its unlocked. Find a stupid tech support person and you can prolly get your 5 unlocked..

Can you use the same iPhone 5 with Sprint and AT&T? Cause I got sprint right now and going to go back to AT&T next year, would I need to buy a new iPhone or can I just use the same unlocked sprint/at&t iPhone when I switch?

Can you use the same iPhone 5 with Sprint and AT&T? Cause I got sprint right now and going to go back to AT&T next year, would I need to buy a new iPhone or can I just use the same unlocked sprint/at&t iPhone when I switch?

Can you use the same iPhone 5 with Sprint and AT&T? Cause I got sprint right now and going to go back to AT&T next year, would I need to buy a new iPhone or can I just use the same unlocked sprint/at&t iPhone when I switch?

You can use the same phone on AT&T if you get it unlocked, but you would only be able to get 3G/HSPA+.

I actually just got my 4s unlocked that was technically still under contract. If the imei isnt attached to the account in contract it can be unlocked. Regular customer care wanted me to do the online form. I told them i wanted tech support, tech support looked at it and the phone was released from at&t in less than 5 minutes. Restored in itunes and Bam unlocked 4s with 18 months left in contract. Paid for my new 5. So basically what I took from this is at&t has a system that itunes connects to to determine whether or not the phone is still attached to at&t, once released and a restore is done its unlocked. Find a stupid tech support person and you can prolly get your 5 unlocked..

actually, mine unlock itself after i upgrade to 6. form 5.1.1 and still under contract with att.12 months to go.

Ok so I would need an unlocked AT&T iPhone or an unlocked sprint iPhone? Thanks

You would need an unlocked sprint phone but you cannot get AT&T LTE from a sprint or Verizon phone on AT&T network only HSPA+.
You would be better off selling your sprint phone and buying one through AT&T.

Don't like it? Kick rocks, no one is forcing you to read it. You read the title that was enough for you to not read further. Not only did you read further but also commented on how you don't want to read more of it? Makes no sense...

Pretty soon every iPhone on the market will be unlocked.... I don't like it much, value of the iPhone are gonna go down if eBay or Craigslist get flooded with unlocked iPhone's. now I miss Steve jobs more.

I'm waiting to hear back from AT&T after filling out the online form. I talked to customer service and the person filled it out for me and submitted it.

Clikzip my imei number for my 4s should not longer be attached to my contract since I upgraded to the 5 correct? So technically I still have a contract on it....i will call back and ask for tech support if I get denied..

However if all you have to do is get the imei number off your account could you just take the nano sim with an adapter and put it in say my old iPhone 4 for a while...then call and have my 5 unlocked too? Might have to try that..

I didn't need an unlock as I am using AT&T anyway but I always want an unlocked phone because its cooler.....LOL I used unlockstation and unlockstation.com for $19.99 submit your IMEI number pay with paypal and wait 5 hours or so for his email back, restore in iTunes and done your unlocked. Done three phones this way and I have a T-Mo sim that I tested with and it picks up a signal.

Sending a fax? The day AT&T started unlocking iPhones, I contacted customer service over live chat, gave the rep all the info I needed, and restored my iPhone 4 about a week later and it was unlocked. Have they changed something since then or is faxing optional?

Originally Posted by MXCO

Pretty soon every iPhone on the market will be unlocked.... I don't like it much, value of the iPhone are gonna go down if eBay or Craigslist get flooded with unlocked iPhone's. now I miss Steve jobs more.

Need a tissue? And a pacifier?

Last edited by Channan; 09-27-2012 at 06:46 AM.

Does this rag smell like chloroform to you?

If I helped you, be sure to press the Thanks! button over there ->
If I didn't, press it anyway.

I have a question, After the phone is unlocked, can you bypass the initial activation after phone being reset or you still need the ATT sim, Also same question for Verizon if anyone knows.
Thanks in advance.

I'm sending My Sprint iPhone 5 back and getting me an At&t one the only thing I want to ask can iphone 5 be use on prepaid if I'm gonna have to wait on Tmobile to fix the speed problem they have to make iphone compatible they said before the end of the year I'm crossing my fingers...